Butterfly Species Models & Cards

A set of realistic models and PDF of corresponding cards to help introduce the appearance and technical names of 8 butterfly species.

A wonderful lesson that is as aesthetically beautiful as it is informative!

The set introduces the scientific names for the following butterfly species;

• Cymothoe sangaris
• Papilio blumei
• Phoebis philea
• Anteos clorinde
• Evenus reglais
• Papilo garleppi
• Anaea clytemnestra
• Morpho menlaus 

This exercise helps to promote language skills (in terms of both verbal and written language), concentration, attention to detail and the abstraction of information. The child first explores the models and then begins to match these 'concrete' 3-dimensional models to the more 'abstract' images on the cards. The images show the butterflies in their real, natural form (as opposed to a photograph of the model). This is intended to help a child develop an understanding of the context of the butterflies (and perhaps start spotting them in the garden!), rather than seeing them solely in isolation as an activity. The images on the cards have also been specially selected to closely resemble the models.

The cards are designed by Montessori Child's own Jessica Langford, based on the sets used in her own Montessori Pre-school classroom. We send you the PDF of the cards so that you have the flexibility of making copies, replacements or resizes as you desire. 

The Models and Cards can be used for a variety of activities;

• Encourage 'matching' skills as the child matches the object to the large card.
  
  
• Use just the card (without the models) to lead the child towards abstraction by identifying illustrations

• Introduce early literacy skills such as letter identification and whole-word recognition as a child matches the word-only card to the control card.

• Promote advanced literacy skills by demonstrating how to use the cards as the basis for creating a 'Butterfly Book'. The child can use the photographs to inspire an illustration of each landmark and then use the printed word as guidance to write that under the drawing. 

• Create an element of geography for older children by researching the countries that the butterflies live in and creating a butterfly map (or placing the models on a Puzzle Map). 

The Butterfly Species card can be coupled with the Butterfly Life Cycle activity or our Butterfly Book to create a richer unit of exploration. 

The Landmark Cards are provided as a single set of picture and word cards. They are not initially provided in the '3 Part Card' format that some of our other model sets feature. If you would like to create 3 Part Cards then please add an order note and we will email  you a copy of the document. This will allow you to print an additional set to use for matching (and you can then reprint if you ever lose a card!).